Man, 23, killed in Friday afternoon accident

Published: Friday, May 2, 2014 at 8:28 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 2, 2014 at 8:28 p.m.

A 23-year old man died after his truck veered off the left side of Old U.S. Highway 29, briefly went airborne and struck a tree Friday afternoon, according to trooper N.P. Teague of the N.C. Highway Patrol.

Andrew Howard Payne of Linwood was pronounced dead at the scene by Davidson County EMS personnel shortly after responding to the 4:20 p.m. call.

Teague said Payne was driving a 2003 Dodge Dakota pickup truck traveling East on Old 29, near Turner Road, when he swerved across the center lane, went off the left shoulder of the road and went slightly airborne before striking a tree.

Teague said that speed was a factor in the accident, but the exact rate of speed is still under investigation.

<p>A 23-year old man died after his truck veered off the left side of Old U.S. Highway 29, briefly went airborne and struck a tree Friday afternoon, according to trooper N.P. Teague of the N.C. Highway Patrol.</p><p>Andrew Howard Payne of Linwood was pronounced dead at the scene by Davidson County EMS personnel shortly after responding to the 4:20 p.m. call.</p><p>Teague said Payne was driving a 2003 Dodge Dakota pickup truck traveling East on Old 29, near Turner Road, when he swerved across the center lane, went off the left shoulder of the road and went slightly airborne before striking a tree. </p><p>Teague said that speed was a factor in the accident, but the exact rate of speed is still under investigation.</p>